Punters have started a petition to 'save' a Kingston pub after owners Young's announced redevelopment plans.

Regulars fear the Spring Grove in Bloomfield Road will be turned into a little more than a restaurant after the brewery cancelled the pub's sports channels subscription and proposed adding a new kitchen and dining area.

Bob Ivey, who has been a Spring Grove regular for 20 years, said the plans were "wildly out of kilter" with what punters wanted.

He said: "Like most of the friends I meet there, we don’t mind redevelopment at all but we do object to being forced out of it on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, as we cannot watch our favourite sports in a safe pub anymore.

"As a backstreet local the football, cricket and rugby crowds the pub attracted were mostly locals and were well-behaved.

"It's not going to be the same pub."

Similar changes to other nearby pubs had resulted in losses of trade, he said.

Young's operations manager Helen Moon said the changes to the Bloomfield Road favourite were "in line with what we tend to do when we develop pubs."

She said: "We're looking to invest some money into the pub because it is a little bit tired.

"A lot of residents were worried we want to turn it into a restaurant.

"We are looking to create a fantastic dining area but that will sit alongside the pub."

Worry was first seeded when the pub's subscription to Sky Sports was canceled earlier this month, due to high costs.

Miss Moon added: "I would need to pack it full of people to hit a sales number that would make the investment in Sky worth it.

"We believe it won't be missed once we create something special."

Asked whether the TV would ever return, she said: "I'm not saying never."

Lib Dem Grove councillor Stephen Brister said creating another gastro-pub in the area was not necessary.

He said: "That used to be my local - it's the pub I go down to, to watch rugby and meet up with mates.

"It will be a big loss to the community.

"I like the fact that the Spring Grove had an interesting mix of people in there."

An online petition set up this week opposing Young's plans has so far attracted 50 signatures.

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here